Join us in 2027 for the 30th anniversary of the Oscar®-qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival, an amazing opportunity for emerging and veteran filmmakers to participate in the largest film festival in North America for kids and teens. We have a decades-long track record of sold-out screenings, enthusiastic audiences, and premiering the early work of now-renowned filmmakers like Chloe Zhao and Taika Waititi, among others.
Presented over three weekends at major venues throughout New York City, the Festival showcases approximately 100 outstanding short and feature films for ages 3-18 in all genres from around the globe. NYICFF hosts premieres, special events, filmmaker Q&A spotlights, receptions, and networking opportunities for our amazing filmmakers. We regularly program films not initially created with a young audience in mind, and we encourage filmmakers to share work that may very well have expanded audience potential. Our audience is up for the challenge of artistically complex work, and our written materials, intros, and Q&As offer compelling context that sparks great dialogue around your films.
NYICFF 2026 by the numbers:
- 87 films from 97 filmmakers
- 23 countries represented in 16 languages
- 48 screening events
- 17 filmmaker Q&As
Not only do we offer an unparalleled opportunity to premiere your work in New York City, but also the chance to gain coveted Oscar® attention. NYICFF is an Oscar®-qualifying film festival for the Best Live Action and Animated Short Film categories. Our prestigious jury has included actors, directors, animators, and industry professionals Uma Thurman, Peter Ramsey, Chris Nee, Karen Rupert Toliver, Zoe Saldaña, Ira Sachs, Bob Odenkirk, Sofia Coppola, and many more. Over 30 short films selected by NYICFF have received Academy® Awards or nominations. Other Festival awards are selected by audience members of all ages, from adults to even the youngest attendees.
We also receive major press coverage and attention for our programs, including feature coverage in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Indie Wire (who named NYICFF as "a roadmap for festivals of all stripes" in 2026). Your works has the potential to receive continued recognition nationwide well after the NYC Festival wraps. Our year-round touring program, Kid Flicks, showcases a curated selection of short films from the Festival at major museums, arthouse theaters, film festivals, and community events across the country. All feature films included in our slate receive a full portfolio of audience feedback and NYICFF insights on your film’s engagement and successful connection with audience members of all ages.
Through our screenings, Q&As, industry conversations and receptions, we facilitate opportunities for engaging with the animation, film and children’s media field, and partner festivals. Recent participating studios and partner organizations include Cartoon Saloon, Crunchyroll, Toei Animation, Titmouse Animation, Sony Pictures Kids, Illumination, DreamWorks, Children’s Media Association, Dandeloo, HBO, Women in Animation, and Sesame Workshop. We foster inclusive practices in the field and seek expanded access for talented filmmakers to grow. We especially want to encourage submissions by filmmakers of color and from under-represented communities that feature thematic programs such as Girls’ POV, Celebrating Black Stories, Hola Cine and more. Film reflects your artistry, a distinct vision, a record of a time. It opens eyes and possibilities, especially key in our young audiences, and sparks meaningful dialogue--all of which has never been more vital than now. Thanks, filmmakers, for being the visionaries that you are. We can’t wait to see—and share—your work.
PLUS: the 2027 edition of NYICFF we will celebrate our 30th Anniversary! For three incredible decades, our festival has brought together artists, storytellers, dreamers, and audiences of all ages passionate about film and media for kids. To mark this milestone, we’ll be hosting special events celebrating the legacy of the festival—featuring unforgettable moments you won’t want to miss.
NYICFF is an Academy Award®-qualifying festival. Recipients of the NYICFF jury prizes are eligible for consideration in the Live Action Short and Animated Short Film categories of the Annual Academy Awards®. All in-competition selections, both short and feature, are voted on by our audience and are eligible for our Audience Awards.
Jury Awards
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Live Action Short Film
Feature Film Awards
- Grand Prize Feature Award, Animation
- Grand Prize Feature Award, Live Action
Short Film Awards
- Audience Awards (ages 3+, 5+, 8+, 10+, 12+, and Grownups Award)
- Grand Prize Short Film Audience Award (voted on by audience members in all age groups)